VIENTO STATE PARK
Appropriately enough for a park in the blustery Columbia River Gorge, the park's name, pronounced vee-EN-toe, is Spanish for wind. Just an odd coincidence, actually. In this case, the Viento comes from the first letters of three railroad tycoons - Villard, Endicott, and Tollman -who put the first railroad in the area. Where a railroad station once stood is now the home of one of the Gorge's best kept secrets: Viento is a great place to camp! With modern campsites, Viento almost always has a spot available when other campgrounds in the area are full. No reservations are accepted; camping is first-come, first-served. On weekends in the summer, rangers provide interpretive programs. A fully-accessible restroom is located here. Viento is next to a working railroad line and crossing. Visitors and campers can expect to hear train horns throughout the day and night. Interstate 84 also borders the park. Please call the park office at (541) 374-8811, for more information.
Viento has a day-use area with easy access to the Columbia River and some of the best windsurfing in the Gorge. There's a great picnic area right next to a wonderful, babbling creek - just right for skimming stones and soaking sore feet.
A one-mile trail from Viento to Starvation Creek takes you along a section of the Historic Columbia River Highway. Now a hiking trail, there hasn't been auto traffic here in more than 50 years. If you get a chance to visit, imagine an old Ford Model T twisting around the corners!
Located in the Columbia River Gorge, this natural area was established as a state park by Oregon's government during the 1930s. The name of the site is derived from two words: "vie" and "ento", which are Spanish for wind and east respectively - an apt description considering its location.
The land on which it sits has been inhabited for thousands of years, with Native American tribes such as Chinook using these lands long before European settlers arrived. In fact, many artifacts have been found within its boundaries that date back to prehistoric times.
During construction under President Franklin D Roosevelt's New Deal program in 1933-1942 period, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers built several structures including picnic shelters made out of native stone along with other amenities like restrooms and trails throughout the parkland. These facilities were designed to blend seamlessly into their surroundings while providing visitors access to nature without disturbing wildlife habitats or damaging delicate ecosystems.
Over time additional improvements were added; campsites equipped with modern conveniences became available making overnight stays more comfortable than ever before.
1. Tent Camping: There are 56 tent sites available within the park, each equipped with picnic tables and fire pits.
2. RV Camping: The park also has 15 full-hookup sites that can accommodate recreational vehicles up to 40 feet long.
3. Group Campsites: For larger groups or family gatherings, there is one group campsite which can hold up to 25 people at once.
4. Hiker/Biker Camps: These campsites cater specifically towards hikers and bikers who are traveling through on the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.
5. Yurts/Cabins: While Viento state park does not have yurt or cabin accommodations itself, nearby Memaloose State Park (about ten miles east) provides these facilities if you're looking for something more comfortable than traditional camping.
All campsites come with access to restrooms and showers as well as easy access to hiking trails throughout the surrounding area including Starvation Creek Falls trailhead located right inside this campground's day-use parking lot!